Speaker Richard Corcoran is switching up committee assignments in the Florida House of Representatives.
On Tuesday, Corcoran announced a changeup in several House committees, replacing Rep. Jose Felix Diaz, R-Miami, with Rep. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, to sit as chair of the House Commerce Committee.
Diaz resigned from the Florida House in May to run for Florida’s 40th Senate District after Sen. Frank Artiles resigned in April.
Boyd previously served as chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee but will be replaced by future House speaker Rep. Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast.
Renner’s appointment cements his incoming role as one of the House’s most powerful figure. He is set to become Speaker from 2022-2024.
Those weren’t the only changes Corcoran has in mind for the Florida House. Corcoran said in a memo to members to expect more shuffling of positions as he forms the leadership of committees which push legislation through the halls of Tallahassee.
"Updated committee assignments will be made in the next few weeks," wrote.
Corcoran ultimately has the last word in committee assignments and can appoint those closest to him into positions of power. Committee chairs often enjoy notoriety and wield legislative strength and fundraising prowess, key aspects to rising to the top in Florida politics.
Several of the committee chairman positions have remained the same but it’s possible, given Corcoran’s message to members, that those may change soon as well.
Rep. Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes, will continue to serve as the chairman of the House Rules & Policy Committee while Reps. Jeanette Nunez, R-Miami, and Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, will continue to serve as Speaker Pro Tempore.
“If you are interested in serving as a subcommittee chair or on a particular committee, I strongly encourage you to speak with the chair of the full committee with jurisdiction over the subcommittee,” Corcoran wrote. “As we did last year, subcommittee chair appointments will be made in collaboration with the full committee chairs. I look forward to seeing all of you soon.”
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
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